TINA L. SCOTT
EDITOR
On Friday, Jan. 14, three Merrill High School Seniors and members of the Merrill Bluejay Varsity Swim Team signed with three different colleges to swim competitively at the college level next year. Grace Schultz signed to attend and compete for the University of South Dakota, Claire Schultz signed to attend and compete for Southern Illinois University, and Emma Pajtash signed to attend and swim for Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa.
Grace and Claire Schultz are twin sisters, and they have almost literally been swimming their entire lives according to their mother. “I literally threw them in the pool at nine months old,” Lois “Lowie” Schultz. said.
“They have been swimming competitively since age 8 and currently swim year-round with WYNS – Woodson Y Northern Swimmers – in Wausau.”
“Both girls are quite accomplished swimmers, having competed at the National level,” Lowie added. “Each girl was recruited by their respective school. Both schools are NCAA Division One.”
Grace Schultz – USD
“I had been recruiting/talking to the University of South Dakota’s Head and Assistant Coaches since the summer leading up to my Junior year,” Grace said. “I was finally able to go out and visit the campus in mid-October. One of the biggest contributors to my commitment was the coaches. I agreed with their approach and coaching style for the team. After meeting the coaches and team, I immediately knew that I wanted to be a part of such a driven and successful group of people.”
Grace isn’t yet certain of her major but is leaning toward a degree in the business field. “… It’s such a broad area with multiple career choices to choose from,” she said. While visiting the campus, “I learned that the ‘Beacom School of Business’ was one of the top business schools in America. I also learned that I would be able to earn my Masters Degree by staying one extra year there.”
She admits she’s a little nervous about being so far from home next year, but is excited to further her swimming career in college, meet new people, and make new friends, and knows it will be worth it in the end.
Claire Schultz – SIU
“I chose Southern Illinois University because of their stellar program and amazing training philosophies,” Claire said. “Both the men and women have done very well at the championship meets, and I can’t wait to be apart of that!”
“My passion for science, my training as an athlete, and my personal experiences have led me to choose to major in Kinesiology/Exercise Science beginning in the fall,” she said. “After obtaining this degree, I plan to continue my schooling and earn a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree. Along with an outstanding swim and dive program, SIU also has an amazing Exercise Science program that allows students to work hands-on with cancer surviving patients. Knowing that I will have a successful future both athletically and academically was the biggest factor in making my college decision.”
Claire is super excited about going off to SIU in the fall. “I can’t wait to be a Saluki, and spend the next four years swimming/studying at SIU,” she said.
Emma Pajtash – Loras College
“I chose Loras College because I was looking for a school with a good Science program and a team I thought I would fit well with. Loras has both,” Emma said. “Additionally, when I went to visit, it felt like that’s where I was supposed to be.”
“I hope to become a pediatric oncologist,” she said.
Loras has a very strong Science program with a high number of pre-med students being accepted to medical school following undergraduate, Emma added.
“The Swim Coach at Loras, as well as my future teammates that I have already met, are amazing. They made me feel right at home when I visited. These factors together made it really easy for me to decide where I was going,” she said. “I am very excited to see where the next four years with them are going to take my swimming career.”